Gary Cahill On Learning Curve

Gary Cahill thinks Villa have turned the corner defensively but agrees we need to start putting the ball in the net at the other end of the pitch.

Cahill said: 'The goal against Arsenal was a horrible goal to concede. All you can do when you go out there is keep clean sheets and sometimes we haven't done that this season. Against Arsenal we were solid, limited them to minimal chances and it was the same against Liverpool. Hopefully in the next few games we can grab a couple of goals. That would be nice and go on and win the game. From a defensive point of view I was happy against Liverpool. We didn't concede a goal so that's your job done. We were solid.'

Adding on the official site: 'Any point at this stage is important. We find ourselves a little bit down the table so every point at the moment is a good point. But I think it is important that from now until the end of the season we start picking up some wins. 'I enjoy playing alongside Olof. Although it is a minor thing, I am learning the left hand side role because I'm not left-footed and neither is Olof so I've found myself over there which is different because you do see the picture a little bit different. That's a learning curve for myself but overall I'd like to think we are doing well. Olof helps me immensely but it is important to win games.'

'It's all right saying 'we are doing quite well at the back' but if we concede goals and don't score goals we will end up losing games and that's not what we want to be doing now. We want to pick up some wins.'

Must say I think Cahill is outstanding, without doubt he has been our best defender since consigning Liam Ridgewell to the bench and the great thing is he is still young and has much to learn. A future Villa legend in the making?

Meanwhile Martin Laursen is hoping to declare himself fit for the Everton match on April 2. 'I will be back available for the Everton game on April 2. I will return training and take it from there. It has been a frustrating time for me but I hope I can play some part to the end of the season.'

Comments

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Cahill has been oustanding in recent games, not just for his defensive work but his distribution of the ball when he wins it. Mellberg could learn a thing or two from young Gary instead of hoofing the ball upfield every chance he gets.

While its very good news that Martin Laursen is hoping to declare himself fit and available for the important game against Everton, I hope that his return doesn't signal the end of Gary Cahill's latest run out in the first team. I personally think that young Gary is going from strength to strength, developing and learning with every game, and is fast becoming a very accomplished and polished central defender. He certainly deserves his call up to the England under 21 squad, and if he continues to progress as he has done already this season, then the sky is very much the limit for our Sheffield born defender. I would like to see him and ML partnered together in central defence, Gary on the right, Martin the left. Both attempt to play the ball out of defence, rather than as jonah says, give it some welly in the hope that JC can win and hold up the ball, which often ends in us being immediately put back under pressure.

Playing for the England under 21's will be a huge step forward in Gary's development. After all, barely twelve months ago he was pretty much an unknown quantity to most Villa Supporters. Yes we were well aware of his success in the Championship at Burnley, but we really weren't too sure exactly what type of quality defender we had breaking through thev ranks.